Abstract: Apparatus to load workpieces on a carrier for a decorator. A swing arm supports grippers at one end for movement between a workpiece transfer site and a workpiece loading position. An actuating lever moveable with the swing arm moves a gripper into a workpiece gripping position with the stationary gripper at the transfer site and moves the displaceable gripper into a workpiece release position with stationary gripper at the workpiece loading position. A driven cam track coupled by a follower to an oscillating shaft reciprocates the swing arm between a workpiece receiving position and a workpiece discharge position. A belt extends between a bearing block used to support the oscillating shaft and a support shaft for the gripper so that as the swing arm reciprocates the gripper is rotated to transposes the position of the workpiece supported thereby.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for handling and transporting workpieces such as sheet-like labels between a plurality of stations. The stations include at least are workpiece pick-up station in the form of a magazine, at least one workpiece treatment station at which a tag or sticker may be applied to the workpiece, and at least one workpiece deposit station. A workpiece is removed from the magazine by at least one suction device which holds the workpiece as it is transported to, and as it is treated by, the treatment station. The suction device then transports the treated workpiece to the deposit station at which point the suction device releases the treated workpiece. The plurality of stations are disposed equaliangularly about the handling and transporting device; and the suction device is rotated to each successive station such that its outer surface is normal to the presentation surface of each station when the suction device arrives at each station.

Abstract: An adjustable workpiece rotating assembly for rotating a workpiece of any of a plurality of configurations at a workstation positioned along a conveyor system. Workpiece carriers attached to the conveyor system allow the workpiece to be positioned thereupon at a desired orientation relative to the work station. A mouth piece and base cup engage opposite ends of the workpiece and cause the workpiece to be rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof. The mouth piece and base cup are supported by a vertical displaceable rack which engage with a rotatably spur gear to allow the mouth piece and base cup to be translated simultaneously in the vertical direction to engage with a workpiece of any one of different elevations.

Abstract: A label dispenser for automatically applying butt cut labels from a dispensing roll onto workpieces positioned on a conveyor system. A web with adhered edge to edge labels in coiled form is rotatably supported above the conveyor and caused to unwind by pinch rollers. Unwound portions of t he web are caused to wrap around a circumferential portion of a roller, thereby accentuating gaps created by the cut lines. A sensor detects the accentuated cut line between adjacent labels and generates an electrical signal responsive to times when a cut is detected. The signal controls the operation of the drive roller such that a single label is applied to an article on the conveyor system.

Abstract: An adjustable workpiece carrier assembly for carrying workpieces on a conveyor system. Upstanding V-blocks used for supporting workpieces on the assembly, and are changeable so as to allow workpieces of different configurations to be supported thereon. By attaching a plurality of workpiece carrier assemblies to a conveyor system, an automatic conveyor system for conveying a plurality of workpieces in a desired orientation is possible. By simply changing the upstanding V-blocks to conform to the configuration of workpieces, workpieces of different configurations may be conveyed by the same conveyor system.

Abstract: Carrier attachments on a roller chain receive a bottle cap for printing at a loading station formed at the discharge end of a downwardly-inclined chute. A top constrainment member is normally spaced from the top of the carrier attachments at the loading station by a distance less than the height of the bottle caps in the supply chute to prevent advancement of the caps until an underlying carrier attachment advances beyond the bottom support surface of the cap. The constraining member is resilient to urge the article into the space between the attachments according to one embodiment or according to a second embodiment, the article drops onto a carrier. The article is supported by surfaces on guide rails during movement to a printing station by the conveyor.